1. What is frequency
coordination?
Frequency Coordination is a method to minimize interference among
fixed-frequencystations while maximizing use of the
limited radio spectrum available to the Amateur Radio Service
by planning what specific frequency or frequencies a given
station will operate on in a specific area. Frequency coordinators
provide these planning services by maintaining records
of existing systems and by approving applications for frequencies
used by new stations. This is a generalization of what
frequency coordination is, but it should be quite sufficient for
the purposes of this FAQ. Return To Index

2. Why is frequency coordination necessary?
To understand why frequency coordination is necessary, you must
first understand the limitations of certain types of stations.
Changing frequency for most modern home stations is as easy as
turninga dial or hitting a few buttons. The operator is in close
proximity to the transceiver and can easily compensate for interference
from another station on a nearby frequency (or a
distant station on the same frequency) within seconds. Virtually
all repeater stations will require one or more frequency
specific components such as duplexers, filters, isolators, circulators,
multi-couplers, combiners, or other pieces of equipment.
In addition, most repeaters use transmitters, receivers and in
some cases even antennas that cannot change operating frequency
easily if at all. Control receivers and linktransmitters also
must use fixed frequencies for a variety of additional reasons.
Control receivers must be on a known frequency in order to be
accessible by control operators at a moments notice.
Links must relay signals to other stations instantly. It is virtually
impossible for a receiver to 'search the band' looking for the
frequency the link transmitter 'on the other end' happens to be
operating on at any given point in time. Similarly, it would be
exceedingly difficult should an operator have to search the band
for a repeater located in a specific area every time (s)he
wanted to call another operator. The repeater input and output
frequencies must be known in advance. Not all systems
can share the same frequency due to mutual interference, so each
must operate on its own unique frequency or set of frequencies
in a given area. The users of a particular system will then know
where to 'find' it when needed. The frequencies used for coordinated
stations (commonly called a 'bandplan' or 'frequency utilization
plan' or something similar) vary somewhat in different parts of
the
country. To find out what the 'bandplan' is in WPA, please visit
our "WPRC Spectrum Band Plans"
web page. It is a good idea to know
the bandplan in your area even if you do not use coordinated systems.
Frequency coordination is also necessary, or at least is in
the best interests of all repeater stations, due to the following
FCC rule: 97.205(c)."Where the transmissions of a repeater
causes
harmful interference to another repeater, the two station licensees
are equally and fully responsible for resolving the interference
unless
the operation of one station is recommended by a frequency coordinator
and the operation of the other station is not. In that case,
the licensee of the non-coordinated repeater has primary responsibility
to resolve the interference."Return To Index

3. What if my station is not coordinated?
If your station is not coordinated, and should be (see
FAQ 4), you risk several potential problems.
First, if your station should cause interference to a coordinated
station, you will be responsible for resolving the interference
-
even if that means you must terminate operation on the affected
frequency. See CFR 47 Part 97.205(c) quoted in FAQ 2.
Second, someone else could apply for coordination on the same
frequency at a location that could cause mutual interference.
Should that happen, you will still be responsible for resolving
the interference. Coordination gives you a protected coverage
area in which no other coordinated stations should interfere.
That means if someone else puts a station on that is not
coordinated, you will then have the upper hand under CFR 47 Part
97.205(c) and they would have to resolve the problem. Return To Index

4. What types of stations are coordinated?
The following types of stations are typically coordinated. Note
this is an ever changing list:
1. Repeater stations
2. Control frequency stations
3. Link stations
4. Packet stations (however packet coordination operates differently
due to the nature of packet)
5. Almost any fixed-frequency station Return To Index

6. Why was my application denied?
Applications are denied for one of the following reasons, in order
of 'popularity' :
1. Another station is coordinated at a location that would cause
mutual interference if your station were in operation. This may
be on the same frequency or adjacent frequencies
or does not meet the spacing requirements required under WPRC's
or
surrounding coordinator' s guidelines.
2. You requested a frequency that does not meet the WPA bandplan.
(see "WPRC Spectrum Band Plans")
3. You requested a frequency that is not on a standard repeater
frequency. (see "WPRC
Repeater Frequency Selection Tool" ) Return To Index

7. How long will it take to process my coordination
application?
That usually depends on the band involved. Some can take less
than 30 days. Others, particularly on bands such as the 2 Meter
band, can take several months. The typical coordination will be
processed in 60-90 days provided your paperwork
is properly completed. This time frame is from the date your application
is received by the frequency coordinator. Applications
not meeting the spacing requirements are usually processed within
30 days from the time of receipt, as there is no need to consult
surrounding frequency coordinators. For additional details, see
FAQ 18. Return To Index

8. Why does it take so long to get a frequency
coordination?
I could basically say " see FAQ 18"
which explains the process. The short answer is that there are
a lot of coordinated stations
on the air, and it takes time to review applications and conduct
studies of the frequencies for which the application was filed.
The typical application has to be reviewed by several coordinators,
as repeater systems usually have coverage outside the
WPA section, and could impact other areas such as WV, MD, EPA,
NY, OH, or even Canada. Return To Index

9. How do I find what stations are coordinated
in WPA?
WPRC publishes a list of coordinated repeaters at "WPRC
Repeater Directory".
While this list is very complete, there are some stations which
the owners have elected to not make published. These stations
are omitted from the Repeater Directory (both the ARRL's publications
as well as WPRC's Online Repeater Directory. Return To Index

You can use the 'ARRL
TravelPlus CD-Rom', which can be purchased from your favorite
ham radio dealer, or directly from the ARRL.
While its data may not be current, due to publishing lag time,
it has repeater listings for all repeaters in the U.S. It gets
its information,
usually at the end of each year, from all of the repeater councils
in the U.S. It is usually published in the early spring of each
year.

There are also 'online repeater databases' located on the internet.
You can find a list of them by using your favorite search engine
and searching for 'repeater databases'. The accuracy of these
online databases may not be current, as the information gathered
may or may not be accurate, due to the way that the information
is gathered. Most repeater councils consider their repeater databases
as copyrighted material, and can only be used with permission.
Use them at your own risk.Return To Index

11. What can I do if I receive interference
from another station while using one?
That all depends on what is causing the interference. If other
stations are using the repeater you need, ask that they let you
join in
or make a call. If other stations are using the repeater OTHER
than the one you need, you may have to wait until they are finished
before you can make contact. This will only work if the repeater
is employing CTCSS/CDCSS on their receiver. Otherwise, you
will access their repeater as well as the one you want to access.
In general try using a directional antenna pointed at the
repeater you want to access. Not only will this better reject
any other repeaters, but will increase your signal into the repeater
you want to access. Return To Index

12. What can I do if I receive interference
from another station on my coordinated frequency?
Again, that all depends on what is causing the interference. If
the interference is due to a band opening (enhanced band
conditions that allow signals to travel farther than they normally
would), then there may be little you can do other than
employ CTCSS/CDCSS encode on your repeater's input and output,
and employ CTCSS/CDCSS on your transmitter
and receiver. If the interference is coming from a local uncoordinated
station, you can explain this to them and request that
they cease operations. It may help to explain CFR 47 Part 97.205(c)
to them. If they, too are coordinated, you should
notify WPRC of the circumstances. Please do not notify WPRC of
interference due to band openings. We all know they
happen, and cannot be predicted or accounted for in the coordination
process.Return To Index

13. What can I do if I receive signals
from another station on my coordinated frequency?
Receiving signals on your coordinated frequency is not interference.
In crowded bands such as the 2 Meter band,
hearing distant stations is normal. These signals should not interfere
with your coordinated operation in your coverage area. Return To Index

14. What can I do if I receive interference
from another station on my uncoordinated frequency?
There is little you can do other than change frequency. There
is nothing WPRC can do for you. Return To Index

15. Do I have to have frequency coordination?
No, you don't. However given the benefits of frequency coordination
it is to your advantage to obtain it in order to protect
your valuable investment. Return To Index

16. How do I contact the WPA Frequency
Coordinator?
Via email sent to 'wprcemail',
or via USPS mail sent to
the WPRC mailing address found on the "WPRC
HomePage". These are the ONLY two ways WPRC receives
official
correspondence. No other email address or USPS address is considered
official correspondence, and may not receive
a reply. You can also contact WPRC directly at one of our quarterly
meetings. See "WPRC Meeting Schedule"
for
more information. Return To Index

17. How long until I can expect a reply?
eMail is generally answered the same day, but may take up to 7
days if research is required. USPS mail is generally answered
equally as prompt, but email is preferred. Return To Index

18. Can you explain the coordination process?
The coordination process starts with your completion of an "Application
For Frequency Coordination"(form WPRC-100), available
at "WPRC Frequency Coordination Forms"
web page.Your application is mailed to the permanent WPRC mailing
address
shown on the "WPRC Home Page"
web page. Do not send your application to any other address. When
your mail is
received, it is forwarded to the WPRC Secretary so it can be logged
in and assigned a unique 'Correspondence Log Number'
(This is what the 'WPRC Log#' is for on the top right of the application)
. It is then copied where a permanent file is
maintained of all incoming correspondence, and the original is
sent to the Frequency Coordinator for processing. Upon receipt
by the Coordinator, your application is reviewed for completeness
and legibility. If there are any questions, answers or
clarifications may try to be obtained. If your application is
in order, the first frequency choice will be reviewed and compared
to surrounding co-channel and adjacent-channel coordinated systems
to see if the current WPRC coordination standards
are met. If the first choice does not meet the current standards
for spacing, the second frequency is evaluated, then the third
if
necessary. Using the first frequency that meets the standards,
your application information is entered in the coordination database',
assigned a unique 'Coordination Number' (the space on the top
left of the application) , and a 'Notice of Proposed Coordination,
or NPC, is issued to any adjacent coordinators within 150 miles
of your system's location. When the NPC is issued, the
adjacent coordinators have 30 days to review and either approve
the NPC or object to it. If they object, and the reason is valid
based on their coordination policies, the process starts over
with the next frequency choice if any exist. If they all approve,
the
NPC is rolled over into an 'Initial Coordination'
and becomes official as a coordinated frequency effective the
date your application
was received. This 'Initial Coordination' is sent to you via USPS
mail. At this point, you have 6 months to build and activate
your
system. This period may be extended at the discretion of the Frequency
Coordinator. Your 'Initial Coordination' DOES have an
expiration date, and no guarantee is made that an extension will
be granted. When your transmitter is on the air and operational
AS COORDINATED, you then submit an 'On Air Notice'to the WPRC advising that your system is on the air. This On Air Notice
goes through the same path as the application, and once received
your system goes into testing mode for 90 days to ensure
that no
unforeseen interference issues have arisen. The OAN may be submitted
via USPS mail or emailed to 'wprcemail@yahoogroups.com'
for your convenience. This email is will receive the same processing
as received USPS mail, and the forwarding will be performed
automatically by the email servers. It will still be logged in
as official correspondence and receive another 'Correspondence
Log Number'.
After the testing period has passed, you will be sent a 'Final
Coordination'which you keep in your permanent
records to show proof
of coordination if needed. In general, if your system does not
change operating parameters, this coordination will be valid forever.
Periodically, status requests will be sent out in order to 'weed
out' dead or abandoned systems. This usually happens about every
10 years. If your system has not changed and is still on the air,
a simple reply with these facts will be all that is required,
and a new
coordination document will be issued and will supersede the previous
coordination document. If you need to change one of your
coordination parameters, you will need to send in a 'Coordination
Modification' form (the same WPRC-100 form as your original
application) and apply for a modification of your coordination.
If the change is significant, the same process will be applied
to your
modification request as was applied to your original application.
For specifics on how to fill out the forms for a modification,
please
see the Coordination Form FAQ
web page.. Any submission may take some time. How much? See
FAQ #7.Return To Index